Metal container



Patented Feb. 17, 1925.

PATENT OFFICE.

ALFRED J. CHAMBERLAIN, or LAKEWOOD, OHIO.

METAL CONTAINER.

Application filed August 18, 1923. Serial .\T0.'658,162.

[0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ALFRED J. CHAMBER LAIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Lakewood, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Metal Containers, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which 1 have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improvements, relating, as indicated, to metal containers, have regard more particularly to cans or drums made of sheet metal and still more particularly to the form of closure, e. g. gasket seat, with which certain types of such containersare provided. The object of the invention is to provide a form of top or closure that while adapted to be removed is so constructed that a permanently tight joint is obtained when the closure is secured in place, a leak-proof joint being essential to the successful use of this type of container where the commodity to be packaged is fluid or semi-fluid, such as a paint, paste, oil, varnish or similar material. A further object is to provide a container that will be simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the acomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, .consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a container constructed in accordance with my present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the upper portion of such container; Fig. 3 is a broken radial section thereof; and Fig. 4 is a developed elevation showing a portion of the side wall of the container in a prelimina riy stage of fabrication.

he body 1 of the container is of cylindrical form, as usual, and aside from the features herein referred to as of special intercst, may be of any familiar construction both as to the form of side seam, if one be employed, and as to the manner in which the bottom is secured in place.

As best shown in Fig. 3, the side wall of such body portion is formed adjacent its upper open end with an inwardly directed head 2, the portion 2 of such bead that lies ne'aiest'the upper edge of the body being inclined inwardly and downwardly so as to constitute a beveled seat for a gasket 3. This gasket is shown as consisting of a rubber tube collapsed or flattened by the compressive action of the cover, as will be presently explained, but it will be understood that depending upon conditions and the character of the contents of the can, various kinds of gaskets may be employed, or for that matter the cover may contact directly with seat 2*.

As shown in Fig. 4, the side wall of the container is initially formed with two series of circumferentially spaced projections 4 and 5, the latter being smaller than the former and alternating therewith, a series of slots 6 being left between the adjacent projections so as to provide against interference therebetween. The projections 4 are bent outwardly around a circular reinforcing wire 7 that is held thereby closely against the upper edge of the containers side wall as defined by the bottoms of the slots 6. However, as shown in Fig. 3, said reinforcing wire is located somewhat above the edge in question and thus above the edge of the top or closure 8 when the latter is secured in place.

Such top or closure is of general circular shape and is provided with an upturned peripheral flange 9 having an external diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of bead 2. Flange 9 includes an outwardly and upwardly inclining portion 9 that forms a beveled seat complementary to seat 2% in the open end of the can body, as previously described and preferably terminates in a vertical, i. e., cylindrical portion 9 that is adapted to fit snugly within such open end (see Fig. 3). The inner 'rtion 9 of such flange, it will be noted, is likewise of cylindrical form and of the proper diameter to fit snugly within the inner edge of seat 2", the portion 2" of bead 2 immediately below such seat being of corresponding cylindrical form.

Prior to the insertion of the top or cover 9 in place in the open end of the container body, the projections 5 thereon extend upwardly, as indicated in dotted outline in Fig. 3, but after insertion of such cover: these projections are bent inwardly and downwardly so as to force such cover downwardly and thereby compress the gasket 3 between the seats 2 and 9. 7

As a result of the foregoing construction, an absolutely tight, leak-proof joint is secured between the cover and the container body, provided of course a suitable gasket is employed. The seat 2 in the-container body is an integral part of the latter and by reason of its being formed at an angle having a considerable slant, it offers the added advantage of producing a wedge-like action when downward pressure is applied to the cover. At the same time by reason of the reinforcement of the upper edge of the body in the manner described, the danger of such joint being broken, due to bend ing or denting of the edge, is minimized. The peculiar form of the main portion 9 and the upper portion 9 of the flange on the cover further assists in reinforcing the joint and in protecting the seal. In addition such main flange portion 9 not only serves to pilot the cover, i. e., approximately center same, when it is placed in the open end of the container body, but such portion fits sufficiently closely within the beaded portion2 of suchbody to prevent the gasket 3 from being squeezed or forced downwardly so as to be exposed to the contents of the container.

When it 1s desired to remove the cover, it is of course merely necessary that the projections 5 be bent upwardly and outwardly so as to disengage same from the flanged ortion of the cover. This is facilitated by avin such projections 5 long enough to exten onto the inclined portion 9 of the cover'flange so that the lower end of the projection corres ondingly inclines and is so more accessibe' for lifting or prying loose. At the same time effective locking action is secured by reasonof the fact that the upper portion of the projection, which contacts with flange portion 9* of the cover, is bent through approximately 180 degrees, orjin other words into parallel relation with the adjacent edge of the can body. If desired to replace the cover after the container has been partially emptied, the projections in question maybe bent back again over the cover flange.

Other modes of applying the principle of ,my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed,

provided .the means stated by any of the folowin claims I or the equlvalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a metal container, the combination of a body portion formed adjacent but spaced 2, short distance from its open end with an inwardly and downwardly inclining annular seat, a cover having a cylindrical portion adapted to fit within such end, a second cylindrical portion adapted to fit within the inner edge of such seat and an intermediate portion inclined to correspond with such seat, whereby an annular space having the cross-section of an oblique parallelogram is left, a gasket wholly contained within the annular space thus defined, and means for securing said cover in place.

2. In a metal container, the combination of a body portion formed adjacent but spaced a short distance from its open end with an inwardly directed bead includingan inwardly and downwardly inclining portion forming a seat and a portion immediately below such seat of cylindrical form, a cover having a cylindrical portion adapted-to fit within such open end, a second cylindrical portion adapted to fit within the cylindrical portion immediately of such seat, and an intermediate portion contiguous with Such two cylindrical portions and inclined to correspond with such seat, whereby an annular space having a cross-section limited to that of an oblique parallelogram is left, a gasket wholly contained within the annular space thus defined, and means for securing said cover in place.

3. In a metal container, the combination of a body portion formed adjacent its open end with an inwardly directed annular seat, such open end being formed with inte ral, eircumferentially spaced projections ent outwardly to assist in reinforcing such end, a cover adapted to fit within such end and formed with a complementary seat, and means for securing said cover in place, said means comprising integral, circumferentially spaced projections on said body-end lying between said first-named projections and adapted to be bent inwardly into engagement with said cover.

4. In a metal container, the combination of a body portion formed adjacent its open end with an inwardly and downwardly inclining annular seat, such open end being formed with integral, circumferentially spaced projectionsbent outwardly to assist in reinforcing such end, a coveradapted to fit within such end and formed with a complementary seat, and means for securing said cover in place, said means comprising'intcgral, circumferentially spaced projections on said body-end lying between said firstnamed projections and adapted to be bent inwardly into engagement with said cover.

5. In a metal container, the combination of a body portion formed adjacent its open end with an inwardly directed annular seat, such open end being formed with inte ral, circumferentially spaced projections bent outwardly to assist in reinforcing such end, a cover adapted to fit within such end and formed with a complementary seat, and means for securing said cover in place, said means comprising integral, circumferentially spaced projections on said body-end smaller than and lying between said firstnarned projections and adapted to be bent inwardly into engagement with said cover.

6. In a metal container, the combination of a body portionformed adjacent its open end with an inwardly and downwardly in 'cllning annular seat, a clrcular wire re1nforcing said body-end, the latter being formed with integral, circumferentially spaced projections bent outwardly and around said wire to vhold the same in lace, a cover adapted to fit within such on and "formed with a complementary seat, and means for securing said cover in place, said means comprising integral, circumferentially spaced projections on said body-end lyin between said first-named projections an into engageclining annular seat, a circular wire reinforcing said body-end, the latter being forme with integral, circumferentially spaced projections bent outwardly and around said wire to hold-the same in lace, a cover ada ted to fit within such end and formed wit 'a complementary seat, and means for securing said cover in place,'said means comprising integral, circumferentially space-d projections on said body end lyin between said first-named projections an adapted to be bent inwardly into engagement with said cover, said reinforcing wire lying above and without said cover so as to protect the same. I

Signed by me,'this 15th day or August,

ALFRED J, GHAMBERLAH. 

